2000 Camry Radio Replacement

[AZCamry]

Looking for replacement radio suggestions for my Camry...new head unit and speakers. Currently has the JBL premium sound unit w/ 6 speakers. Would like to run a new head unit with an external amp, and replace the door and rear deck speakers. The head unit LCD display is failing.

What would be a good moderately priced head unit with pre-amp outs and aux imput?
What are good replacement speakers?
Can a keep my a-pillar tweets if I replace the door speakers?

thanks!

[yota83]

ive always liked pioneer head units for the ease of use and fair price for functions....should be around $250 or so for the preouts you will need to run a 4channel amp....

[touringcamry]

How much are you looking to spend and are you considering a subwoofer? What does moderately priced mean to you for a head unit.

If you want a sub, you might consider leaving out the rear speakers completely because it's better for imaging.

If you replace the front door component speakers with another set of components, then you can put the replacement tweeter in the door where it is right now. If you get coaxials, then no, you cannot put a tweeter where it currently sits because the tweeter is built into the speaker.

I am running Arc Audio 6000 components and it is an excellent set of components and they ran about $300 for the set. Focal K2 components are really good too, but I think they cost a bit more than my Arc 6000. Before you go and buy a set of components online, you should really consider auditioning them because they don't all sound the same. I remember listening to Infinity and MB Quartz component set and they were really harsh to me but some people like the way they sound - it's personal preference.

For amps, something like an Arc Audio KS 300.4 runs maybe $300 or so and will power your front and rear speaker or front speakers and a sub.

For amp kits, look at those from KnuKonceptz.com . Their amp kits are very competitively priced compared to what you might find in stores and more heavily marketed brands. From experience, though, if you mount the amp in the trunk, you'll need more than the 20 ft of speaker wire provided with their kits. The 12 gauge wire they provide is a bit overkill for most installation though.

Try to find a good car stereo place near you. Places like Circuit City and Best Buy often don't have as much selection. I went to Circuit City for something recently and I had to pass through the car audio section; from what I saw, they only had two component speaker sets that you could get in store - not good!.

[AZCamry]

Thanks for the replies. Looking to spend no more than $300 on a head unit. I had a Pioneer unit in my Suburban that had 2 sets of pre-outs and a sub out. I can live with two pre-out sets, not looking to add a sub. I'll run just one 4 channel amp. I'd like to replace the 6x9s with a quality pair, and replace the door speakers with a driver - and leave the tweets if possible(?)

[touringcamry]

If you get component speakers, they include a separate tweeter that you use to replace the stock tweeter. For imaging, it's best to put the tweeter as close as possible to the mid, but you can put it in the same place as the stock tweeter if you like.

If you're adding an external amp, you should not use any factory speakers since you'll likely blow them anyway.

This is basically what you get when you get component speakers: (This is not a complete set obviously - it's missing one crossover and grill)

[touringcamry]

I like the features on the Premeir DEH-P700BT and DEH-P690UB but I'm a bit disappointed that they have 16bit DAC instead of 24bit DAC. Only the DEH-P880PRS and higher has 24bit DAC but those are probably out of your price range.

The difference between the 700 and 690 seems to be that the 700 has Bluetooth features. I like the USB and auxiliary in features on these two. The 880 does not have USB but does have auxiliary in.

Someone another forum just showed me the Clarion DXZ785USB which I'm really liking the features of over my Premier DEH-P860MP. I think the street price won't be $400 like it says on Clarion's website. I'm thinking it will be closer to $300 because the previous model goes for about $250-270ish but has the same SRP. The DXZ785USB has USB and aux in and has 24 bit DAC.

[AZCamry]

I'm not a fan of the DIN size head units, anything double-DIN that is decent?

[touringcamry]

Double-DIN really restricts your choices because there are far fewer double-DIN sizes compared to single-DIN size units. Most manufacturers only make 1 or 2 double-DIN HUs that aren't DVD or navi systems (which is way beyond your $300 price range).

You can check out the units from Pioneer and Clarion. There are probably a few others out there.

[eddie926]

Originally Posted by AZCamry

I'm not a fan of the DIN size head units, anything double-DIN that is decent?

Crutchfield.com carries about a half dozen non-dvd double din units. Some are CD only, a couple are CD/Cassette combos. Just go to their website, http://www.crutchfield.com and do a search on double din.

I have the JVC KW-XG700 in my '95 Camry and am really happy with it. I was originally going to buy the Kenwood DPX502, but it wasn't available at the time and I got tired of waiting for it to hit the market. The JVC was cheaper ($249) and had all the features I wanted. Front USB and AUX jacks, bluetooth, etc. If you don't need the USB and Bluetooth, the JVC KW-XG500 is $50 cheaper. Crutchfield has free shipping.

Here's mine. Not the best picture, but you can get an idea what it looks like installed.

[MrSo0h0o]

as others have said, its going to be very difficult to find a DD unit in the $300 range.. i recommend the kenwood DDX line.. the base unit is the DDX 7015.. u can find those on ebay refurbed close to your range, just a bit more.. if you are willing to spend more, its a good looking HU..

here is my DDX 8017(top of the line):

[eddie926]

Just an additional thought in case you'd like a simple install on a tighter budget. When I put my new system in, I specifically did NOT want to add an external amp, sub, wiring, etc. I wanted to use the factory wiring.

So, I used these Boston Acoustics speakers in the rear deck...

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...i=065S95&tp=91

These in teh lower door openings

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...i=065S65&tp=94

And these tweeters in the door handles (my XLE had tweets in teh door handles rather than the a pillars) ...

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...7DB1000&tp=107

The Boston Acoustics have much lower power requirements than a lot of other speakers, and perform REALLY well with the internal amp on my HU.

In the '95, despite the fact that it had separate tweeters in the door handles, the lower factory door speaker was a two way, and the factory tweeter in the door handle was just wired inline with a high pass filter. It was not wired up as a component system with a crossover.

So, I was able to just drop in the new speakers and install the new HU. Easy install. No wiring. No finding a home for the external amp. No wiring crossovers in the doors. And, it's a GREAT sounding system. Granted, I'm not going to win any car stereo loudness competitions or thump the guy next to me at a stoplight,, but I wasn't looking to do that. I just wanted great sound with a relatively easy install.

[[SMAN]]

Originally Posted by MrSo0h0o

as others have said, its going to be very difficult to find a DD unit in the $300 range.. i recommend the kenwood DDX line.. the base unit is the DDX 7015.. u can find those on ebay refurbed close to your range, just a bit more.. if you are willing to spend more, its a good looking HU..

here is my DDX 8017(top of the line):

I got the 7015 3 years ago and It's still kicking strong. Works great with the 4100 nav unit that it came with, so if you can get it for cheap, go for it. I may infact be looking to sell both my nav and headunit soon as i'm looking to upgrade to the newer setups.